Welcome

The North American Research Partnership is an independent, non-profit networked think-tank that conducts strategic applied research and outreach on how the United States, Mexico and Canada can better position themselves for success in the 21st century. The Partnership works on a broad range of interrelated international policy topics such as border management, trade and competitiveness, energy, sustainability, security, and education. The Partnership has offices in San Diego and Phoenix and key partners located in Mexico City, Washington, D.C. and Ottawa.

Featured Project: U.S.-Mexico Border Economy in Transition

While the U.S.-Mexico border region is critical to the North American economy, much work remains on building a solid regional economy for the region’s residents. The U.S.-Mexico Border Economy in Transition lays out the major issues involved in border region economic development, compiles the many innovative ideas developed at the 2014 U.S.-Mexico Regional Economic Competitiveness forums, and weaves them into a series of policy recommendations that draw on the experiences of those who understand the border best: the individuals who live in border communities and who cross back and forth between Mexico and the United States as a part of their daily lives. Read more about the report here.

NARP in the News

Thankfully, with U.S.-Mexico trade at historic highs and growing faster than trade with any other major trading partner, it is increasingly difficult to ignore the importance of safe and efficient border management to the regional economy. U.S.-Mexico trade is now valued at well over a half trillion dollars per year, 80 percent of which crosses the U.S.-Mexico land border. This trade supports around six million U.S. jobs, and systems of co-production in manufacturing allow companies to combine the comparative advantages of the United States and Mexico, boosting the competitiveness of North America as a whole.

All I really observe is incrementalism,” says Rick Van Schoik, portfolio director at the North American Research Partnership, referring to discussions between Vice President Joe Biden and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto to address border issues. “If you move an organ stop, you might get a slightly different tone. But it’s basically the same old song.